Dr. Michael David Lara, MD

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Get to know General Surgeon Dr. Michael David Lara, who serves patients in El Paso, Texas.

A committed general surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery, Dr. Lara works with patients at his private practice – Rio Grande Surgeons PA –  in El Paso, Texas. His areas of clinical interest include anti-reflux surgery, gallbladder surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, colorectal surgery, and repair of different types of anatomical hernias. He was one of the first fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons in El Paso, Texas as well as one of the first to perform single-site incision DaVinci robotic surgery in the region.

Established in 2004, Rio Grande Surgeons PA provides comprehensive state-of-the art diagnostic and minimally invasive surgical services for all gastrointestinal and surgical disorders. The doctor has established a reputation of delivering safe patient care and specializes in the latest, minimally invasive surgical procedures.

A graduate of Ysleta High School. Dr. Lara received his undergraduate degree from Rice University. He then earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston before completing his residency in general surgery at Texas Tech Health Science Center. After the completion of his residency in 2003, he underwent additional training, completing a fellowship in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, he is board-certified in general surgery and bariatric surgery by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The ABS is an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.

A Designated Center of Excellence Surgeons, Dr. Lara is a proud member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the Texas Medical Association, and the Southwest Association of Hispanic American Physicians.

Among his other roles, he is the Director and Founder of the Hospitals of Providence Surgical Weight Loss Center and Co-Medical Director for the Del Sol Bariatric Center.

General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal contents including the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix and bile ducts, and often the thyroid gland. A general surgeon performs a wide range of abdominal surgeries for many forms of intestinal and abdominal wall neoplasms, gallbladder disease, gastric and pancreatic disease. They follow the patient through critical care and surgical recovery all the way to outpatient care.

As a testament of his dedication to his field, Dr. Lara has been the recipient of multiple honors and awards, including the 2013 Doctor of the Year Award from Del Sol Medical Center. He has also received a Healthgrades Award for top 5% performance in General Surgery nationally.

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